The new year is traditionally when people make resolutions for healthier habits and lifestyles but it's also an opportune time for countries to enact new policies and laws.
From January 1 here are some changes you might notice, especially if you're travelling overseas this year.
More airport delays: Europe
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is warning travellers entering the EU's Schengen area — a zone of 29 European countries allowing free movement — to anticipate travel delays as more airports phase in the new Entry/Exit System (EES).
The EES collects biometric data of non-EU citizens to better track their movements in and out of the Schengen area but passengers have reported wait times of up to three hours resulting in missed connections because of technical glitches and staff shortages.
The system was introduced to some airports in October to collect data from 10 per cent of incoming travellers, but on January 9 the system will roll out to more airports to capture 35 per cent of traveller data, before being implemented across all airports by April 10.
An Airport Council International report found France, Spain, Greece, and Italy had some of the worst delays and has called on the European Commission and member states to improve the roll-out.
Cleaner toilets: Malaysia
Loos in major Malaysian cities including at cafes and restaurants should become cleaner now that operator licenses will only be renewed if toilets meet the "BMW standard" and are clean (bersih), attractive (menawan), and pleasant-smelling (wangi).
The law introduced in 2023 gave businesses a three-year grace period to raise hygiene standards ahead of Malaysia's tourism campaign this year.
New toilets used by the public will also need to have a female to male toilet ratio of two to one to reduce wait times and queues.
"Starting next year, public toilets constructed must adhere to the guidelines … I personally observed that women require more time to use the toilet," said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming in November.
New money: Bulgaria
From today Bulgaria's official currency, the lev, will be replaced by the euro making it the 21st member state to join the Eurozone.
To ease the transition, cash payments can be made in both currencies for one month before the euro will become the only legal currency.
But bank balances, cash withdrawals, and change from cashiers can only be done in euros.
For the next 12 months, prices will also be displayed in both currencies and people will be able to exchange their lev for euro at banks.
No sexting: China
China's government is making it illegal to send "obscene" material over "information networks and telephones" including online messaging apps like WeChat.
The new law is designed to prevent the sharing of pornographic or exploitative media involving minors over digital platforms, but local media have reported that this could include consensual sexting between adults.
Offenders will spend up to 15 days in jail or be fined a maximum of 5,000 yuan ($1,061) depending on the severity of their offence.
Some netizens have supported the tightened laws, while others have mocked the government for what they perceived as a tightening of state surveillance even on private flirting while it also makes efforts to boost birth rates.
Restricted entry: US
Visiting the famed Grand Canyon National Park will be a whole lot more expensive, that is if you're even able to enter the US.
From January 1, nationals from a further 21 countries will be fully or partially restricted from entering the US including those from Nigeria, Syria and Tonga.
Meanwhile tourists aged over 16 will need to fork out $US100 ($150) on top of existing entrance fees to visit popular national parks like Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Everglades.
The annual park pass for non-residents will cost $US250 ($373) while US residents will continue to pay $US80 ($119).
No extramarital sex: Indonesia
In Indonesia a law banning cohabitation and sex outside of marriage, which Indonesia defines as between a man and woman, comes into effect from January 2.
It will apply to everyone including tourists and offenders can be jailed for up to one year or fined ten million rupiah ($888).
But experts say it is unlikely to impact visitors because police can only investigate a suspected offender if a complaint is made by the person's spouse, child, or parent.
Less sweet drinks: Vietnam
To improve public health and environmental sustainability Vietnam is phasing in taxes for air conditioners, sugary drinks and alcohol.
Air conditioners large enough to cool open-plan living rooms, commercial offices, restaurants and cafes will be taxed at 10 per cent from January 1 in a bid to reduce electricity consumption and emissions.
From 2027, soft drinks with more than five grams of sugar per 100 millilitres like classic Coca Cola, and popular energy drinks will be taxed 8 per cent, increasing to 10 per cent in 2028.
But dairy drinks, natural fruit juices, coconut water, and nutritional supplements used for liquid diets will be exempt.
The 65 per cent tax currently on beer and drinks with 20 per cent or more of alcohol (ABV) will increase 5 per cent in 2027 and then continue to increase every year until it reaches 90 per cent in 2031.
